Disclosed is a drivetrain for use in a motorized docking station including a driveshaft, a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread, a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a right-hand thread, a plurality of gears, an electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears, and a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft. The drivetrain can have a manual override gear coupled to the driveshaft and a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear.
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1. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a port block;
a drivetrain interface of the port block;
a threaded receiving portion of the drivetrain interface;
a driveshaft;
a threaded end of the driveshaft coupled to the threaded receiving portion; and
a limit washer on the threaded end of the driveshaft.
8. A drivetrain for use in a motorized docking station, the drivetrain comprising:
a driveshaft;
a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread;
a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a right-hand thread;
a limit washer on one of the first threaded end or the second threaded end;
a plurality of gears;
a electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears; and
a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft.
16. A docking station for an electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a port block;
a drivetrain interface of the port block;
a threaded receiving portion of the drivetrain interface;
a driveshaft;
a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a first thread direction and coupled to the threaded receiving portion;
a limit washer on the first threaded end of the driveshaft,
a plurality of gears;
a electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears;
a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft; and
wherein the port block is configured to translate between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position along the first threaded end of the driveshaft.
2. The docking station of
a plurality of gears;
a electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears; and
a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft.
3. The docking station of
a Kensington-style security slot;
a manual override gear;
a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear; and
wherein the tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear is disposed behind the Kensington-style security slot.
5. The docking station of
a second linking gear coupled to the driveshaft and the manual override gear.
6. The docking station of
7. The docking station of
a chassis;
a pillow block of the chassis; and
wherein the driveshaft passes through the pillow block.
10. The drivetrain of
a port block coupled to the first threaded end of the driveshaft.
11. The drivetrain of
12. The drivetrain of
a manual override gear; and
a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear.
13. The docking station of
14. The docking station of
a second linking gear coupled to the driveshaft and the manual override gear.
15. The docking station of
17. The docking station of
a second port block;
a second drivetrain interface of the second port block;
a second threaded receiving portion of the second drivetrain interface;
a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a second thread direction, wherein the second thread direction is an opposite thread direction of the first thread direction; and
wherein the second threaded end of the driveshaft is coupled to the second threaded receiving portion.
18. The docking station of
a Kensington-style security slot;
a manual override gear;
a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear; and
wherein the tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear is disposed behind the Kensington-style security slot.
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This application is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/921,041 filed Oct. 23, 2015 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention relate docking stations for electronic devices, and more particularly, to a horizontal docking station for a laptop computer. Although embodiments of the invention are suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for a drivetrain for a motorized horizontal docking station.
Discussion of the Related Art
The related art docking stations include docking stations for laptop computers. Docking stations of the related art are generally of the form disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,230 to Helot, particularly FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The related art docking stations generally interface with an electronic device such as a laptop computer. The electrical connection between electronic device and docking station is generally achieved through a single, multi-pin docking port. The related art docking station generally provides a multitude of additional interface ports connected to the docking port.
Docking stations of the related art also include multi-plug to multi-port docking stations such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2013/0148289 of Kitae Kwon (“Kwon”), particularly in FIG. 2 (multi-plug), and FIG. 6 (multi-port). See also U.S. Pat. Pub. 2012/0127651 of Kitae Kwon, et. al. Kwon discloses, generally, a plurality of plugs on a sliding arm that can be activated by a lever. When the lever is activated, the arms squeeze together and engage the plurality of plugs with the corresponding ports of an electronic device. Kwon also discloses using a Kensington-style lock to bind the sliding arm to the chassis and prevent movement sliding arm.
Docking stations of the related art also include motorized docking stations such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/306,198 of Vroom. Vroom discloses, generally, a docking station actuated by a motor connected to rack-and-pinion arms (See Vroom, FIG. 16). The arms are connected to sliders on underside of the tray (See Vroom, FIG. 19). A motor turns the pinion gear which moves a rack-gear portion of the arms to actuate connector blocks.
The related art docking stations also include opposing connector blocks. To connect a computer to the related art docking stations, a user positions the electronic device within the docking station, and activates a lever to cause the opposing connector blocks to press into the electronic device thereby making an electrical connection between the docking station and the electronic device. In the related art, the opposing connector blocks can be connected to the lever through a hinge or a cam. Both the hinge and cam are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2013/0148289 of Kitae Kwon, particularly in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B (cam), and FIG. 4 (hinge). See also U.S. Pat. Pub. 2012/0127651 of Kitae Kwon, et. al.
There are some disadvantages of the related art systems. For example, the related art docking stations rely on a lever to so that a user can manually actuate the connector blocks. The lever is generally offset from the axis of the connector blocks the lever can be accessible by a user. An offset lever creates a non-linear force on the connector block and can cause misalignment of the connector block and prevent the connector block from interfacing with the docked device as designed. The lever also has the disadvantage that it must be moved to effectuate docking and undocking. The lever can be challenging to manipulate on a crowded desk or by a person having limited dexterity.
The related art docking stations that using on a motor rely on sliding arms that are connected to an underside of the tray such as in Vroom. The sliding arms and sliding connection points of Vroom are a point of precision from which all other movement is indexed. For example, the arms of Vroom are slidably connected to the underside of the tray, the arms are connected to port blocks, the port blocks have connectors, and the connectors are positioned to interface with ports of a corresponding electronic device. However, the indexing point in Vroom (the underside of the tray) is distant from the position that precision is required (i.e. the point where the connectors are inserted into the electronic device.) Vroom therefore discloses undesirable tolerance stacking as between the indexing point and the point where precision is required. This requires adherence to very strict tolerances and increases manufacturing costs.
The rack-and-pinion arms of Vroom are precision-manufacture components that must be particularly sized, scaled, and designed for use in a particular model docking station. The rack-and-pinion arms of Vroom are not interchangeable with other docking stations and cannot easily be substituted into other models of docking stations due to differing dimensions.
The related art docking stations are also generally passive—the dock does not have awareness of whether an electronic device is present or if the connectors of the connector blocks are inserted into the docked device. A passive docking station cannot, for example, detect whether the electronic device is properly positioned within the dock.
The related art docking stations also have a predetermined range of motion for the connector blocks. This range of motion is determined by the length of the lever arms and hinges or the size of the cam. Mechanical devices, however, tend to wear with extended use. As the related art begins to wear, the range of motion for the connector blocks can become sloppy or loose. Because docking requires high tolerances, a loose connector block could cause misalignment or incomplete insertion.
The related art of Helot, requires that the electronic device includes a docking connector. Thus the docking station of Helot cannot be used with electronic devices that do not include a docking connector. Helot is also limited in that Helot does not provide a mechanism to secure either the electronic device or the docking station. While Kwon teaches using multiple plugs instead of a docking connector and using a Kensington-style lock to secure the electronic device and docking station, Kwon does not allow removal of the electronic device without also manually removing the Kensington-style lock.
Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a drivetrain for a motorized docking station that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a docking station that minimizing tolerance stacking.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a docking station for an electronic device that does not have a docking port.
Yet another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a docking station that provides additional security features to retain an electronic device.
Still another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide an interchangable drivetrain compatible with many models of motorized docking stations.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of embodiments of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, a Precision Docking Station for an Electronic Device Having Integrated Retention Mechanism includes a port block, a first electronic connector of the port block, a retention member of the port block, a tray for receiving the electronic device, a sidewall of the tray, an interior side of the sidewall, a first through-hole of the sidewall sized to slidably receive the first connector, a second through hole of the sidewall sized to slidably receive the retention member, wherein the port block is configured to slide between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position with respect to the sidewall of the tray, and wherein the first connector protrudes from the first through-hole on the interior side of the sidewall of the tray when the port block is in the substantially closed position.
In another aspect, a Precision Docking Station for an Electronic Device Having Integrated Retention Mechanism includes a chassis, a port block configured to slide between an open position and a closed position, a void in the chassis sized to slidably retain the port block, a tray for holding the electronic device, a sidewall of the tray, an interior surface of the sidewall, a first hole in the sidewall of the tray, an electronic connector of the port block positioned to slidably interface with the first hole, a second hole in the sidewall of the tray, a retention finger of the port block positioned to slidably interface with the second hole, and wherein the electronic connector passes through the first hole in the sidewall and protrudes from the interior surface of the sidewall when the port block is in the closed position.
In yet another aspect, a Precision Docking Station for an Electronic Device Having Integrated Retention Mechanism includes a first port block, a first electronic connector of the first port block, a first retention finger of the first port block, a second port block, a second retention finger of the second port block, a tray portion for receiving the electronic device, a first sidewall, a first hole in the first sidewall for slidably receiving the first electronic connector, a second hole in the first sidewall for slidably receiving the first retention finger, a second sidewall, and a third hole in the second sidewall for slidably receiving the second retention finger.
In still another aspect, a drivetrain for a motorized docking station includes a port block, a drivetrain interface of the port block, a threaded receiving portion of the drivetrain interface, a driveshaft, and a threaded end of the driveshaft coupled to the threaded receiving portion.
In another aspect, a drivetrain for a motorized docking station includes a driveshaft, a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread, a second threaded end of the driveshaft having a right-hand thread, a plurality of gears, an electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears, and a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft. The drivetrain can have a manual override gear coupled to the driveshaft and a tool-receiving portion of the manual override gear.
In yet another aspect, a drivetrain for a motorized docking station includes a port block, a drivetrain interface of the port block, a threaded receiving portion of the drivetrain interface, a driveshaft, a first threaded end of the driveshaft having a left-hand thread and coupled to the threaded receiving portion, a plurality of gears, a electric motor coupled to the plurality of gears, a linking gear of the plurality of gears, the linking gear fixed to the drive shaft. The port block can be configured to translate between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position along the threaded end of the driveshaft.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
The port block 110 can include retention members 115a-115c. The retention members can be formed from rubber a rubber-like material. The retention members 115a-115c can be formed from plastic. The retention members 115a-115c can be formed from hard plastic coated in a rubber-like substance. The port block 110 can slide between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the retention members 115a-115c can contact a top surface of an electronic device to stabilize the electronic device within a docking station and to prevent removal of the device. In the open position, the retention members 115a-115c can be free from or clear of the electronic device in the docking station and allow removal of the electronic device. In preferred embodiments, the port block 110 can include three retention members 115a-115c as shown in
The port block 110 can include an electronic connector 120. The electronic connector 120 can be positioned to on the port block 110 to correspond to the position of a corresponding port of the electronic device (not shown). In the open position, the electronic connector 120 can be disconnected from the electronic device. In the closed position, the electronic connector 120 can be inserted into the corresponding port of the electronic device. The electronic connector 120 can be any type of electronic connector that are known in the art. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the electronic connector 120 is a USB Type-C connector and the electronic device can be a 12″ Apple MacBook.
In preferred embodiments of the invention there is exactly one electronic connector on a port block. However, the invention is not limited to port blocks having only one electronic connector and includes, without limitation, port blocks having two or more electronic connectors each respectively corresponding to a port of the electronic device. The invention further contemplates port blocks having no electronic connectors and having only retention members or dummy connectors. Dummy connectors can be formed from plastic, metal, or nylon and be positioned to interface with a corresponding port of the electronic device. Dummy connectors can retain the electronic device within a docking station without making an electrical connection.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention (not shown) a right-hand-side port block can include one or more retention members, one or more dummy connectors, or combinations of retention members and dummy connectors.
A port block 110 can include a drivetrain interface 125. The drivetrain interface 125 can connect to a drivetrain (not shown) to provide a motor force to translate the port block 110 between and open and closed position. The drivetrain can include, for example, a rack and pinion actuator. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the drivetrain (not shown) can include a rotating drive shaft having a threaded end. The threaded end can be inserted into the drivetrain interface 125 which can have a corresponding threaded hole. The drive shaft can be connected to an electric motor through a series of gears. The motor can rotate the gears which, in turn, can rotate the drive shaft which, in turn, can rotate the threaded end of the drive shaft which, in turn can interface with a threaded hole of the drivetrain interface 125 to translate the port block 110 between an open and closed position.
The left side wall 135a can have an interior surface 145a, an exterior surface 150a, and a plurality of cutouts or holes 140a. The holes 140a can be sized and positioned to receive the retention members and electronic connector of
Although the invention has been shown and described in conjunction with a left side wall having three fingers and one connector, other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of this invention including variations of the foregoing. These variations include, for example, one, two, three or more fingers on one side; one, two, three or more connectors on one side; different combinations of connectors and fingers on two or more sides; at least one finger and one connector on one side and at least one finger and one connector on an opposite side; a second side horizontally opposed to a first side; at least one connector and one finger on one side and at least one finger on a second side; at least one connector and one finger on one side and a dummy connector on a second side; and one or more fingers on a first side and one or more connectors on a second side and horizontally opposed to the first side.
The gears 220 can be reducing gears that function to decrease the rotational speed and increase the power of the motor 230. Small electric motors typically operate at high speeds, such as 1,200 rpm, 1,800 rpm, or greater. Gears 220 can effectively reduce the rotational speed of the motor 230 at the driveshaft 210 and increase the power. The gears 220 can be coupled to the driveshaft 210 via a linking gear 240. The linking gear 240 can be fixed to the driveshaft 210 such that rotating the linking gear 240 causes the driveshaft 210 to rotate as well. When electrical power is applied to the motor, the motor can spin at high speed, the speed can be reduced and the power increased by way of the gears 220. The rotational energy can be transmitted to the driveshaft 210 by the linking gear 240. Rotation of the driveshaft 210 can, in turn, cause rotation of the threaded portions 215a and 215b that are fixed to the ends 211 and 212 of the driveshaft 210. The threaded portions 215a and 215b can be connected to corresponding threaded receiving portions of port blocks (not shown) of a docking station causing the port blocks to translate over the threaded portions and move from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa.
The drivetrain 200 can further include and emergency override gear 250 having a tool-receiving portion 255. The emergency override gear 250 can be coupled to the driveshaft via linking gear 260. In the alternative, the emergency override gear 250 can be coupled to the driveshaft via linking gear 240. The tool-receiving portion 255 can be, for example, a hexagonal socket for receiving an Allen wrench. In another example, the tool-receiving portion 255 can be shaped to receive a different tool, such as a Torx wrench, flathead screw driver, phillips screw driver, or other tool for imparting rotational force. In the event of a power failure or other mechanical failure, a user can turn the emergency override gear 250 by rotating the tool-receiving portion 255 with an appropriate tool. Rotating the emergency override gear 250 can cause the driveshaft 210 and its threaded portions 215a and 215b to rotate thereby translating the port blocks (not shown) from a closed position to an open position.
The threaded portions 215a and 215b can be inserted into interface portions of port blocks (not shown) that have matching female threads. When the driveshaft and threaded portions 215a and 215b are rotated, the port blocks can move up and down the threaded portions 215a and 215b. The limiting washers 216a and 216b can prevent the threaded portions 215a and 215b from over rotating and unscrewing from the port blocks (not shown).
The threaded portion 215a can have an opposite-handed thread than that of the threaded portion 215b. The threaded portion 215a can have a left-hand thread and the threaded portion 215b can have a right-hand thread. Having an opposite thread on the threaded portions 215a and 215b can cause the port blocks to move in opposite directions. For example, rotating the driveshaft 210 and the threaded portions 215a and 215b in one direction can cause the port blocks (not shown) to move apart to an open position. Conversely, rotating the driveshaft 210 and the threaded portions 215a and 215b in the opposite direction can cause the port blocks (not shown) to move together to a closed position. It is undesirable for the threaded portions 215a and 215b to have the same handedness thread because rotation of the driveshaft 210 would cause the port blocks to move in the same direction and maintain an equal spacing between them preventing the port blocks from reaching a fully open or closed position.
The motor 230 can be connected to the gears 220 such that turning on the motor 230 will cause the gears 220 to rotate. The gears 220 can be configured in a reducing fashion such that rotational speed of the motor 230 is reduced through the gears 220 and the rotational speed at the linking gear 240 is much less. Similarly, by reducing the rotational speed, the gears can provide additional power to rotate the driveshaft 210 and can overcome the insertion force required to insert ports of a port blocks (not shown) into the corresponding ports of an electronic device. The linking gear 240 can be fixed to the driveshaft 210 so that rotating the linking gear 240 causes the driveshaft 210 to rotate.
Embodiments of the invention further include an emergency override gear 250 having a tool-receiving portion 255. In the event of electrical or mechanical malfunction, a user can manually rotate the emergency override gear 250 by turning the tool-receiving portion 255. The Emergency override gear 250 can be connected to the driveshaft 210 by linking gear 260 or, in the alternative, linking gear 240.
The Kensington-style security hole 330 can be rectangular shaped extending approximately 7.5 millimeters in width and 3.65 millimeters in height. The security hole 330 can be disposed on a rear portion of the chassis 155. The chassis and/or the security hole 330 can be formed from metal for added security. The security hole 330 can be disposed such that it covers a tool-receiving portion 255 of the emergency override gear 250. When a locking device is inserted and locked in the security hole 330, access to the tool-receiving portion 255 of the emergency override gear 250 is blocked thereby securing the docking station and any docked computer from theft. Blocking access to the tool-receiving portion 255 of the emergency override gear 250 also prevents nefarious parties from manually actuating the port blocks from a closed position to an open position and removing a docked electronic device. When the security hole 330 does not have a lock in it, the tool-receiving portion 255 of the emergency override gear 250 can be easily accessed with an appropriate tool such as an Allen wrench.
Turning the tool-receiving portion 255 of the emergency override gear 250 causes the linking gear 260 to rotate the driveshaft 210 thereby causing the port blocks (not shown) to translate from a closed to an open position. In an alternative embodiment, the emergency override gear 250 is connected to the linking gear 240 in which case the linking gear 260 can be omitted.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the drivetrain for a motorized docking station without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Vroom, Matthew Leigh, Parod, Brandon
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